Running Update

I’m kind of busy at my day job and I didn’t get around to post my regular weekend post. So here’s a short blog post to say hi.

And btw – about 20 years after everybody else – I’m discovering Twitter: Call it pseudo-blogging for busy knowledge workers. Or a quick way to communicate my jogging achievements.

So far Autumn 07 has been great for jogging. The dry, fresh weather is just right. I’ve been running regularly in a running club (the corresponding German word is Laufverein) since last summer and I can wholeheartedly recommend it. I’m still a slow coach, and don’t have any marathon plans (gory details how toe nails come loose and fall off are enough to scare me off 😉 )

A couple of running tips of the top of my head:

Start slowly but be persistent. If you’re just starting out this means 1 minute running, 1 minute walking for about 1 hour. Extend the running period slowly from week to week. I’ve been part of several beginner groups in the past year and some people start off much too fast.

The bad news for our instant gratification generation: you need to run at least twice a week for at least four to six weeks to see any improvement.

Get some good running shoes. Don’t worry so much about the clothes. The functional shirts and running tights will somehow find their own way into your wardrobe. Plus running is a good place to wear all of those over-sized IT conference t-shirts.

There is a phenomenon within our running club that I can’t quite understand yet. When it comes to forming running groups, there’s usually two groups: a fast one and a slow one. And about two to five people that don’t want to go along with the fast guys, don’t want to form their own middle-fast group, and end up running with the slow coaches (MY group). Inadvertently making the slow group faster. Too fast for the newbies. Instead of feeling discouraged by the middle-fast guys, keep going at your own pace. Be self-confident. Know your true performance level. Say what you want loud and clearly. For example, tell the middle-fast guys to form their own group or live with the slower pace.

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Published by nchenga

Nchenga-nchenga is my nickname. Chiperoni.ch is my online playground, scrap book, and on-going collection of bookmarks and interesting quotes.
Chiperoni is a Malawian term for cold, grey, rainy weather.
I am a bridge blogger somewhere between Basel and Blantyre.
The opinions and comments expressed here are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway. So far, this blog is free of advertising or paid articles or similar.
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Oi, am I jealous! Gone are the days when I can run even a 5K without major joint pain. I do a slow, geriatric jog of a very hilly 3K loop, and that’s it for me. Ow, ow, ow! As for shoes, any runners out there with VERY narrow feet and orthotics? I would love to hear your recommendations for a light-weight road shoe with a straight last, motion control, and AA width…